 Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by one of the seven coordinating conjunctions › And, but, for, or, nor, so, yet  She had a huge crush on him, so she asked him to go to the movies with her.  Ms. Christensen is trying not to eat junk, yet she has a candy bar every day.  Do you want ice cream for dessert, or do you want fruit? (Gross. Don’t choose fruit.)

 Use commas after introductory clauses, introductory phrases, or introductory words that come before the main clause.  No commas after main clause if followed by a dependent. (unless the dependent clause shows intense contrast…but be careful about that)  Common Introductory words: yes, however, well  Words that often signify an introductory clause: › After, although, as, because, if, since, when, while

 Correct: While I was dancing, my shoe slipped off and I fell.  Incorrect: My shoe slipped off and I fell, while I was dancing.  If you are sick, you should leave class.  Since my mom works late, I have to make dinner.  Because I missed the bus, I was late for school.  Well, maybe he forgot it was your birthday.

 Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.  Is it essential? › If you leave it out, does the sentence still make sense? › Does it interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence? › If you move it to a new position, does it still make sense?

 That Monday, which happens to be my birthday, is the day the paper is due.  I like visiting my sister. Her apartment, however, is very messy.  Ms. Christensen is exciting and interesting. This lesson, on the other hand, is boring.

 Essential clauses = No commas!  This can be very very tricky.  “That” clauses after nouns = essential  “That” clauses after verbs and describing mental action = essential  Essential = No commas!  Nonessential = Commas!  Often times this is very confusing.

 Essential: › They wished that they would all pass their classes. › The chips that my mom gave me are delicious! › The girl that is wearing a green dress is my sister.  Nonessential: › My sister, wearing a green dress, is in the car. › Chocolate, which is my favorite food, is the main ingredient. › Aaron, who likes to dance, is making dinner.

 Use commas to separate words in a series.  I love to eat pizza, nachos, chips, and apples.  I love my sister, my brother, my mom, and my dad.  I like to dance, sing, and laugh.

While my mom made dinner last night I worked on my homework. Although I had alot of work to do I was so hungry I couldn’t stop going to the kitchen. I wanted to eat pizza, nachoes and soda for diner. Yes I know that is not healthy for me. (9)

While my mom made dinner last night, I worked on my homework. Although I had a lot of work to do, I was so hungry I couldn’t stop going to the kitchen. I wanted to eat pizza, nachos, and candy for dinner. Yes, I know that is not healthy for me.

My brother’s birthday is next week, so I am taking him out to dinner. He told me that he wanted italian or mexican. Although I like both alot I wanted to have chinese. I told him “its you’re birthday, so its youre choice. i just prefer chinese.” His response was “you have two choices. You can chose italian or you can chose mexican. because it was his birthday we went out for italian. Yes it was delicious. (23)

My brother’s birthday was last week so I took him out to dinner. He told me that he wanted Italian or Mexican. Although I like both a lot, I wanted to have Chinese. I told him, “It’s your birthday so it is your choice. I just prefer Chinese.” His response was, “You have two choices. You can choose Italian or you can choose Mexican.” Because it was his birthday, we went out for Italian. Yes, it was delicious.

 Create three sentences that use each rule.  Yes, that is 15 sentences.